Texts sent partner into knife rage

A young woman attacked her boyfriend with a knife after finding texts on his phone from another woman, the New Plymouth District Court was told.

Ripeka Ratana, who is in her 20s, pleaded guilty to assault, threatening to kill, possession of an offensive weapon and intentional damage at her New Plymouth home on December 1.

She was sentenced to 125 hours' community work and 9 months' supervision to undergo domestic violence counselling and alcohol and drug treatment.

She was ordered not to have contact with her partner.

Her lawyer, Kylie Pascoe, said Ratana was now living in Porirua with her parents, away from the abusive relationship and waiting for alcohol and drug counselling.

Judge Allan Roberts said Ratana was angered when she found texts from another female on her boyfriend's phone and punched him as he slept in bed.

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He woke and she left when he told her to. She returned, knocking loudly on the bedroom door which he had locked. When he opened it she had a serrated knife in her hand. As he wrestled with her, his hand was cut.

He punched Ratana in the face and she let go of the knife. When he left the room she ripped his T-shirt and slashed his bed.

Judge Roberts accepted that Ratana had mental health problems and was now getting help from professionals and her family. She lost custody of her two children in April last year.

The judge said he suspected that Ratana would reconcile with her partner.